Review LEATHERHEAD “Violent Horror Stories”

The artwork is reminiscent of Meliah Rage’s debut album, “Kill to Survive,” and the music of this release is also inspired by late ’80s metal. Leatherhead is the band launching “Violent Horror Stories,” their second album after debuting with a self-titled release in 2024.

Hailing from Greece, the five-piece band is inspired by the heavy metal and speed metal of the late ’80s, when bands like Agent Steel and Overkill released excellent albums.

“V.H.S.” is the opener and the first chapter of these eight ‘violent horror stories,’ and it’s a kind of title track when you consider the abbreviation. “VHS” is an up-tempo start to the album, with furious guitar leads and Tolis Mekras demonstrating his metal siren talent. I was reminded of Agent Steel while listening to the second track, “Summoning the Dead,” which maintains the same level of headbanging intensity but comes with a more moderate pace. There is even a bit of Queensrÿche embedded. “The Visitor” is a galloping metal anthem with a well-crafted break.

The acoustic start of “Children of the Beast” kicks off a seven-minute song and shows that Leatherhead has more in their toolkit than fast-paced metal songs only. “Children of the Beast” gradually increases in intensity, and comparisons to bands like Queensrÿche and Heir Apparent come to mind.

The second half of the album maintains the same quality and approach to metal as the A-side. It’s exciting, fierce heavy metal with nice features and twists. “Violent Horror Stories” is an album that no one needs to be afraid of. The guys from Greece deliver hard-hitting metal that will sound great in a beer- and sweat-soaked venue. Horns up!